Toshiba to assist Malawi in developing geothermal power

Japanese multinational conglomerate Toshiba and Malawi’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining (MNREM) have concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of geothermal power.

The MoU anticipates a comprehensive partnership in geothermal power projects including capacity building programmes in relation to the technology.

Under the terms of the MoU, Toshiba will collaborate in the development and supply of major equipment for a geothermal power plant, develop operation and management guidelines, and facilitate capacity building programmes.

The Japanese company aims to contribute to the early construction of the plant, and to supply geothermal power generation equipment, including a 1-10MW type of Geoportable, a wellhead geothermal power generation system, in the future.

Adding geothermal to the energy mix

The majority of Malawi’s current power generation capacity is from hydropower. As the country lies to the west of the Great Rift Valley, it has rich geothermal potential.

Adding geothermal to the energy mix will increase generation capacity in the country and contribute to the stable supply of clean energy.

“Toshiba is the world’s number one supplier of geothermal turbines,” noted Toyoaki Fujita, business development executive at Toshiba.

Fujita added: “Our record to date covers delivery of 56 systems, with a total capacity of 3,628MW. We are delighted with this opportunity to work with MNREE, and to use our established expertise to contribute to geothermal power supply in Malawi.”